Arkansas hunting firearm regulations are set and enforced by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) to ensure responsible and safe hunting practices. These regulations cover various aspects of hunting, including permitted firearms, seasons, and specific rules for different game animals.

The AGFC guidebooks provide a comprehensive summary of hunting regulations, including detailed information on legal firearms for deer hunting. Hunters can access up-to-date information through these guidebooks or the AGFC mobile app, which offers convenient access to regulations and other essential hunting resources.

Recent changes to Arkansas hunting regulations have expanded options for deer hunters. The state now allows the use of non-semiautomatic firearms that shoot straight-wall cartridges during the alternative firearms season, formerly known as muzzleloader season. This change offers hunters more flexibility in their choice of hunting equipment while maintaining safety standards.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

Arkansas has established a comprehensive framework for hunting regulations and wildlife management. The state’s laws aim to ensure sustainable hunting practices and conservation efforts.

Understanding Arkansas Hunting Regulations

Arkansas hunting regulations cover various aspects of the sport, including seasons, bag limits, and equipment restrictions. Hunters must obtain proper licenses and permits before engaging in any hunting activities. The state divides hunting seasons based on game species and specific regions.

Firearm regulations play a crucial role in Arkansas hunting laws. Legal firearms for deer hunting include modern guns and muzzleloaders. Shotguns with slugs are prohibited during alternative firearms seasons. Hunters can use specific cartridges like 350 Legend, 360 Buckhammer, and 405 Winchester.

Hunters are required to follow safety protocols and ethical practices while in the field. This includes wearing appropriate safety gear and respecting property boundaries.

Roles of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is the primary authority responsible for managing wildlife resources and enforcing hunting regulations in the state. They issue hunting licenses, set seasons, and determine bag limits for various game species.

AGFC publishes annual guidebooks that summarize hunting and fishing regulations. These guidebooks serve as interpretive summaries and cover the most common regulations affecting hunters. However, the official regulations take precedence over these summaries.

The commission also conducts wildlife surveys, manages habitats, and implements conservation programs. They work to balance the needs of wildlife populations with the interests of hunters and other stakeholders.

AGFC officers enforce hunting laws and regulations throughout the state. They have the authority to inspect licenses, check harvested game, and issue citations for violations.

Seasonal Information

Arkansas hunting seasons vary by game species and weapon type. Specific dates are set annually to manage wildlife populations and provide fair hunting opportunities.

General Season Dates

Arkansas’s main hunting seasons typically run from fall through winter. Archery season for deer usually starts in late September and extends into February. The popular modern gun deer season occurs in November and December. Turkey hunting takes place in spring, often starting in April.

Migratory bird seasons follow federal guidelines, with duck season generally spanning November to January. Dove season opens in early September. Small game like squirrel and rabbit can be hunted for longer periods, often from May through February.

Hunters should always check current regulations, as exact dates can shift slightly each year based on wildlife management needs and calendar variations.

Specific Seasons for Firearm Types

Modern gun is the most common firearm type used for deer hunting in Arkansas. The 2023-24 modern gun deer season ran November 11-December 3, with an additional period December 26-28. A special youth modern gun hunt was held November 4-5, 2023 and January 6-7, 2024.

Muzzleloader season provides additional deer hunting opportunities. In 2023, it took place October 21-29 and December 9-11. Some zones may have different dates or closed muzzleloader seasons.

Turkey hunters can use shotguns during the spring season, typically in April and May. Specific firearm regulations apply, such as shot size restrictions.

Hunters should consult the latest Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations for precise season dates and any zone-specific rules that may apply to their hunting area.

Firearm Regulations

Arkansas has specific regulations governing firearms used for hunting. These rules cover approved weapons, ammunition types, and safety requirements to ensure responsible and ethical hunting practices.

Approved Firearms and Ammunition

Modern guns and muzzleloaders are permitted for deer hunting in Arkansas. Modern guns must be centerfire weapons. Muzzleloaders need to have a barrel at least 18 inches long and be .40 caliber or larger.

For modern guns, .30 caliber rifles are popular choices. Hunters often use expanding bullets designed for big game.

Muzzleloaders typically use .45 caliber or larger conical bullets. These provide excellent accuracy and stopping power for deer.

Shotguns loaded with slugs are also allowed for deer hunting. They must be 20 gauge or larger.

Firearm Safety and Hunter Orange Requirements

Hunter orange is mandatory during modern gun and muzzleloader deer seasons. Hunters must wear a hat and upper garment with at least 400 square inches of visible hunter orange.

This requirement applies to all hunters in the field, regardless of weapon type. The bright color helps prevent hunting accidents.

Firearms must be unloaded when in vehicles or boats under power. It’s illegal to shoot from vehicles or across public roads.

Hunters should always treat firearms as if they’re loaded. Proper muzzle control and trigger discipline are essential safety practices.

Deer Hunting Specifics

Arkansas has specific regulations for deer hunting, including defined seasons, antler restrictions, and harvest reporting requirements. These rules aim to manage deer populations and ensure sustainable hunting practices.

Deer Season Structure

Arkansas offers multiple deer hunting seasons. Archery season runs from September 28, 2024, to February 28, 2025. The alternative firearms season, formerly called muzzleloader season, is split into two periods: October 19-27 and December 14-16, 2024.

Modern gun season is the most popular, typically running from mid-November through late December. In 2024, it’s scheduled for November 11-December 28.

Special youth hunts are held on November 2-3, 2024, and January 4-5, 2025. These provide opportunities for young hunters to participate under supervision.

A Christmas holiday hunt takes place December 26-28, 2024. This short season allows hunters to enjoy the outdoors during the holiday break.

Buck and Antler-Point Restrictions

Arkansas implements a three-point rule in certain zones to protect younger bucks. This rule requires that legal bucks have at least three points on one antler.

The state’s bag limit allows hunters to take up to four deer per season, with a maximum of two bucks. This limit applies to all hunting methods combined.

Antlerless deer hunting is permitted during specific periods. A private land antlerless-only hunt is scheduled for December 29-31, 2023.

Hunters should consult zone-specific regulations, as antler-point restrictions and bag limits may vary by location. Some areas have more stringent requirements to manage local deer populations effectively.

Harvest Reporting and Checking a Deer

Arkansas requires all hunters to report their deer harvest. This process, known as “checking a deer,” must be completed within 12 hours of harvest.

Hunters can check their deer online through the AGFC website or mobile app. Alternatively, they can call the automated phone system.

When checking a deer, hunters must provide information such as the harvest date, location, and deer characteristics. This data helps wildlife biologists monitor deer populations and adjust management strategies.

It’s crucial to retain proof of checking until the carcass is processed. This may be in the form of a confirmation number or a printed certificate.

Hunting Equipment and Practices

Arkansas hunters must follow specific regulations regarding equipment and adhere to ethical practices. The state sets clear guidelines on legal weapons and promotes responsible hunting methods to ensure safety and conservation.

Legal Hunting Equipment

Firearms for deer hunting in Arkansas include modern guns and muzzleloaders. Shotguns must be 20-gauge or larger and use only rifled slugs. For archery, long, recurve, and compound bows require a minimum 35-pound pull. Crossbows must have at least a 125-pound pull and a mechanical safety.

Hunters can use scopes and other sighting devices on their weapons. During muzzleloader season, only muzzle-loading rifles, pistols, and shotguns are permitted. These must be loaded from the muzzle with black powder or approved substitutes.

Ethical Hunting Practices

Hunters in Arkansas are expected to follow fair chase principles. This means giving animals a reasonable chance to evade detection or escape. Baiting regulations vary by zone and season, so hunters should check local rules.

Proper shot placement is crucial for a quick, humane kill. Hunters should only take shots they’re confident will be lethal. Tracking wounded game is an ethical responsibility. Hunters must make every effort to recover animals they’ve shot.

Respecting property boundaries and obtaining permission to hunt on private land is essential. Hunters should also be aware of their surroundings and maintain a safe distance from roads, buildings, and other hunters.

Youth Hunting in Arkansas

Arkansas offers special opportunities for young hunters to participate in deer hunting seasons. These youth hunts allow children to learn hunting skills and ethics under adult supervision.

Regulations for Youth Hunters

Arkansas holds annual Special Youth Modern Gun Deer Hunts on November 2-3 and January 4-5 statewide. Young hunters can obtain free youth deer tags through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website.

Youth hunters must be under 16 years old and supervised by an adult at least 21 years old. The adult mentor cannot carry a firearm while accompanying the youth hunter.

All general hunting regulations apply to youth hunts, including hunter orange requirements and legal hunting equipment restrictions. Youth hunters must complete a hunter education course or be exempt under the Deferred Hunter Education Code.

Bag limits and antler point restrictions for youth hunts follow the same rules as regular deer seasons in each zone. Youth hunters can take either-sex deer during these special hunts.

Wildlife Management and Conservation

Arkansas implements comprehensive wildlife management strategies to maintain healthy ecosystems and preserve diverse species. These efforts focus on habitat protection, population monitoring, and sustainable hunting practices.

Wildlife Management Areas

Arkansas boasts 123 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) covering over 3.2 million acres. These areas provide critical habitats for various species and offer regulated hunting opportunities.

WMAs are managed through habitat manipulation, including prescribed burns and timber harvests. These practices promote diverse vegetation and support wildlife populations.

Hunting regulations in WMAs are carefully crafted to balance conservation goals with recreational opportunities. Specific seasons, bag limits, and weapon restrictions may apply in different WMAs.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) conducts regular wildlife surveys in WMAs to monitor population trends and inform management decisions.

Role in Ecosystem and Species Preservation

Wildlife management practices in Arkansas play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and protecting endangered species.

Controlled hunting helps regulate wildlife populations, preventing overgrazing and habitat degradation. This approach ensures sustainable ecosystems for both game and non-game species.

Conservation efforts focus on protecting threatened species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and Indiana bat. Habitat restoration projects create suitable environments for these vulnerable animals.

The AGFC collaborates with federal agencies and conservation organizations to implement recovery plans for endangered species. These partnerships enhance the effectiveness of preservation efforts across the state.

Where to Hunt

Arkansas offers diverse hunting opportunities across public and private lands. Hunters can access a variety of habitats and game species throughout the state.

Public and Private Hunting Areas

Arkansas boasts over 3 million acres of public hunting land. Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission provide prime hunting locations. Popular WMAs include Bayou Meto, Dagmar, and White River NWR.

National forests like Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis offer extensive hunting grounds. State parks also permit hunting in designated areas during specific seasons.

For private land access, hunters can join hunting clubs or lease property. Many landowners offer hunting leases, particularly for deer and turkey seasons. Some outfitters provide guided hunts on private ranches.

Accessibility and Regulations

Public hunting areas in Arkansas are generally accessible to all licensed hunters. Most WMAs require a free permit, obtainable online or at check stations. Some areas have special draw hunts with limited quotas.

Hunters must follow specific regulations for each area. These may include:

• Weapon restrictions
• Bag limits
• Check-in/check-out procedures
• Camping rules
• Vehicle use limitations

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website provides detailed maps and regulations for each public hunting area. Hunters should always check current rules before their trip.

On private land, hunters must obtain landowner permission. Written permission is recommended. Respect property boundaries and follow all state hunting regulations.